I did some house sitting for a family member recently and they gave me unrestricted access to their house. I took this opportunity to experiment in unfamiliar conditions to see how much I could light a scene without any observable signs and also keep from relying on lots of blending.

There is a window in the private lavatory through the doorway on the right, but I stuck a speedlight in there at the same height behind a 22" diffusion disc to bring it up a tad.

There's a speedlight near-CL and high up bounced off the ceiling. I put another farther down CL aimed back towards the wall on the right and flagged it so it wouldn't hit the stool/towel or lens of the camera. Both of these were at relatively low power .

Processing was pretty minimal. I just opened the Raw, deliberately set the WB a tad warm, attached my custom camera profile, then into PS to fine tune the contrast and clone a heater/vent fan out of the ceiling. The only blending was a little bit of masking to bring back some detail in the towel.

Ceiling

Drywall was a total pain -- screws did not want to go into the lathe and plaster easily and I hit a lot of nails. There are a lot of extra holes... nothing a little mud and tape can't fix. Note also the pot lights and vent unit have been installed. They even work correctly!

A flammable hydrocarbon gas of the alkane series, present in natural gas and used as bottled fuel

Propane is a three-carbon alkane, normally a gas, but compressible to a transportable liquid. It is derived from other petroleum products during oil or natural gas processing. It is commonly used as a fuel for engines, oxy-gas torches, barbecues, portable stoves and residential central heating.

A heater is object that emits heat or causes another body to achieve a higher temperature. In a household or domestic setting, heaters are usually appliances whose purpose is to generate heating (i.e. warmth). Heaters exists for all states of matter, including solids, liquids and gases.

A fastball

A person or thing that heats, in particular a device for warming the air or water

A conductor used for indirect heating of the cathode of a thermionic tube

Ephesians 6:14Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

Ephesians 6:13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Galatians 5:1For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Think on these. Wow, what a commission, what a charge, to stand, and that firmly. We are called, not to sit, not to run, not to sleep, nor to attack or advance in battle, but to stand. Not looking this way or that, or shifting to and fro, but to stand firm, fixed, looking forward, to the return of Christ, and standing against the world, against low expectations and the tide of sinful deeds and thoughts. We are called higher, we called to a harder road, let us stand firm in our resolve, knowing that it is not in our own power that we stand, but in the power and grace of Almighty God. It is His armor that we wear, and His Sword that we wield. Let us stand therefore, giving up no single inch and gaining nothing that the Lord does not win for us, but rather standing, right where He has planted us, and stand firm. Yet I will leave you with one last commission.

1 Corinthians 10:12Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

Many who think they are standing are not, therefore, let us also take heed to our stance, lest we fall. How are you standing? Are you standing? Or are you just sitting tall? Let us pray that we should stand firm, lest He return and find us sleeping, looking just like the world.

Urbanites

The Urbanites are a generation of people who have been identified as the yuppies of the 21st Century.

Urbanite (1) is a word used in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland and now Australia to describe a demographic of people who like yuppies are young, urban professionals but unlike yuppies they are socially conscious, environmentally aware, engage in constructive city planning, devoted to historic preservation and in keeping the city clean.

The Urbanites' social conscience has been attributed to their living through the “caring-sharing” 90's while in other ways they may be products of the “avaricious city-planning” 80's.

Urbanites are generally young social conscious minded individuals that propel in education and are highly aspirational.

Urbanites enjoy city life but struggle to create and implement the gentle touch of nature within it; the Urbanites enjoy surrounding their urban environment with a healthy balance of serene eye pleasing areas amongst their busy high paced urban environments.

A country in northern North America, the second largest country in the world; pop. 32,507,900; capital, Ottawa; official languages, English and French

a nation in northern North America; the French were the first Europeans to settle in mainland Canada; "the border between the United States and Canada is the longest unguarded border in the world"

The CANADA! Party was an official political party in the province of Quebec from 1994 to 1998. It was founded on Canada Day 1994 by federalist Tony Kondaks, former top-aide to Equality Party leader Robert Libman Its name was initially called the Canada Party of Quebec/Parti Canada du Quebec but

A month and a half ago I set off on a long car ride to come see that dogs at your rescue. When I got there and saw how your animals were treated I was glad I'd made the 7 hour trip from Montreal. From you Staff (Especially John, Anna and Audrey) to the way the animals were kept, everything imprseed me. I wish rescues here could impliment the same type of indoor, outdoor concept as you for their dogs.

Anyways, Shannon (my little sister who'd tagged along), Audrey and Myself took Pepe out for a walk. I can't say it was love at first sight, although I really liked his calm, cool demeanor. He was really relaxed but wasn't affectionate and didn't show any real interest in me. I decided to take Mr. Wiggles out for a walk. Although he was really affectionate great with my little and loved to play, I was a little worried about his high energy level since my place is a little small, on the third floor and there isn't always someone home. So after some hard decision making (really, I wish I could've taken them both home...) I decided to go with Pepe in hopes that he'd warm up and I figured my place would better suite Pepe than it would Mr. Wiggles.

A week and a half later Pepe was neutered and good to go, so I made the drive, alone this time. Pepe said goodbye to all his friends at the rescue and got into the car. From that point on, that was it. Any doubts, any concerns I might have had were GONE! This little bugger had me adoring him in our the first 2 minutes alone. He was a totally different dog. Still calm, but sweet, affectionate and cuddly. Needless to say we really bonded on the drive home. The first people he met was the border patrol... and he stole their hearts too! They adored him. TEST 2: The Girlfriend. My Girlfriend was a little hesitant to take on the responsibility of having a dog, but I assured her that I'd take care of him and all she'd have to do was let him out before or after work if I wasn't home. So I brought him in (had to carry him, he HATED the stairs but he's fine with them now), it was Instant, he ran up to her and gave her a big kiss! Her heart melted and she's adored him ever since!

I know Pepe (he kept his name, and his nicnames are Poochie, Poochills and Pooch head) is happy with us. He's got a great life! He comes everywhere with us (loves car rides), he's exercised regularly (my new jogging partner) and he's made some awesome K9 friends. My parents have a huge piece of land and he gets to run free there with the two German Shephards at least once a week. They all get along really well and love to play together. He's amazingly well behaved with the two females and the kids. He even gets along with the cat (hmm ok, kinda gets along with the cat).

Things are only going to get better for Poochie as I decided to move out of the condo and buy a house! There'll be a pretty big yard for him to run around in (fenced of course) and the place is 3 times the size of the condo, so he'll have more room to nap in and more heaters to snuggle up beside! (And don't tell him mommy yet, but I'm thinking of getting him a sister since he loves other dogs and he's happiest when they're around!)

Everybody who meets him adores him. After spending 30 seconds with him, everyone changes their minds about Pitbulls, people at the video store, at the garage, in the street, everyone is attracted to his dashing good looks, then he wins them over with his charm. He's a poster boy for the breed and I plan to use him to stop BSL from hitting home.

I just want you guys to know that my life is even better than it was since he's been in it. He just brings so much warmth into our lives and kinda reminds us of what's important. Thank you so much for taking great care of him and helping him keep his great personality, I really think it made all the difference. I'm not quite sure who helped who more, but one thing's for sure, this guy's taught me more than any class has in a month, and I wouldn't give him up for the world. Again, thank you so much, keep up the amazing work, and I'll give you guys a call if/when we're ready to adopt again.

Thanks again to everyone. I joined some pictures so you can see just how amazing our boy is!

Harvia Sauna Heater

A conductor used for indirect heating of the cathode of a thermionic tube

A person or thing that heats, in particular a device for warming the air or water

fastball: (baseball) a pitch thrown with maximum velocity; "he swung late on the fastball"; "he showed batters nothing but smoke"

A fastball

device that heats water or supplies warmth to a room

A heater is object that emits heat or causes another body to achieve a higher temperature. In a household or domestic setting, heaters are usually appliances whose purpose is to generate heating (i.e. warmth). Heaters exists for all states of matter, including solids, liquids and gases.

A small room used as a hot-air or steam bath for cleaning and refreshing the body

A sauna ( or more commonly but incorrectly ) is a small room or house designed as a place to experience dry or wet heat sessions, or an establishment with one or more of these and auxiliary facilities.

A session in such a room

a Finnish steam bath; steam is produced by pouring water over heated rocks

A room or a house designed for heat sessions; An act of using a sauna; A public sauna; a front for a brothel in some countries; To use a sauna

Sauna End Elevation

The end elevation shows the lowest level landscaping terrace wall wrapping around to make a high corner that the sauna building nestles into. The exterior materials transition from the heavy (granite walls providing visual and emotional privacy), to the moderate painted shingles, to the light (fully opening casement windows) as privacy becomes less of a concern and the building opens to the garden.

Sauna Inetrior Day

This photo shows some of the interior materials. Slightly tapered granite walls, timber framing (reclaimed from demolished boat docks in Portland), oiled cedar ceiling, peruvian walnut (the sauna itself), and recycled chalkboard slate (from a school in Bellingham) for the floors.

Induction Hot Water Heater

Water heating is a thermodynamic process using an energy source to heat water above its initial temperature. Typical domestic uses of hotwater are for cooking, cleaning, bathing, and space heating. In industry, both hotwater and water heated to steam have many uses.

The action or process of inducting someone to a position or organization

Enlistment into military service

an electrical phenomenon whereby an electromotive force (EMF) is generated in a closed circuit by a change in the flow of current

initiation: a formal entry into an organization or position or office; "his initiation into the club"; "he was ordered to report forinduction into the army"; "he gave a speech as part of his installation into the hall of fame"

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning; "hot stove"; "hot water"; "a hot August day"; "a hot stuffy room"; "she's hot and tired"; "a hot forehead"

characterized by violent and forceful activity or movement; very intense; "the fighting became hot and heavy"; "a hot engagement"; "a raging battle"; "the river became a raging torrent"